The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) celebrated its 2025 Gala, in partnership with BVLGARI, at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA in the Little Tokyo neighborhood on the evening of Saturday, May 31, 2025. This year’s Gala marked the debut of the new MOCA Legends format, inaugurated with tributes to three visionaries who have impactfully shaped the museum’s legacy: artist Theaster Gates, architect Frank Gehry, and philanthropist Wendy Schmidt. Over 600 patrons, artists, and leading cultural figures from Los Angeles and beyond came together to celebrate, raising over $3.1 million in support of the museum’s exhibitions, programming, and overall operations.
Grammy-nominated artist Tierra Whack delivered a dynamic performance during the seated dinner, following a series of special introductions to each of the honorees. Filmmaker Ava DuVernay introduced Theaster Gates, reflecting on his expansive work across visual art and community-building; actor and activist Jane Fonda honored philanthropist Wendy Schmidt, discussing her pioneering commitment to environmental stewardship. Finally, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi remarked upon Frank Gehry’s renowned legacy and his transformation of the urban landscape through architecture, noting his renovation of The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA over four decades ago.
Upon arrival, guests were welcomed to the Aileen Getty Plaza for a cocktail reception and private viewing of the special exhibition Olafur Eliasson: OPEN. Following drinks, guests were led in a ceremonial process to the bespoke dining area by the TAIKOPROJECT Japanese drum ensemble. During the dinner portion of the gala, initial remarks were delivered by MOCA Board Chair Maria Seferian and Maurice Marciano Director Johanna Burton.
“What a joy it is to be together tonight at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA—a space that not only houses some of the most inspiring contemporary art of our time but also holds decades of memory, collaboration, and transformation,” said Johanna Burton, the Maurice Marciano Director of MOCA. “As we celebrate our annual gala, we are not just honoring individual achievements, but reaffirming our collective belief in the power of art to connect and challenge; uplift and endure. This evening, I want to speak to that power—and to the resilience, generosity, and creativity that sustain it.”
“Art is about living a life where you take your talents, and you multiply them,” said Theaster Gates, who spoke about uplifting, celebrating, and honoring everyday artistic voices and emerging talent. “Is it possible that we could take a moment to imagine the talent around us has the capacity to do greater than it does?”
“I see art and science as two sides of the same coin,” said Wendy Schmidt, speaking on the crucial links between the two disciplines. “Each of them rests upon a single, necessary foundation: freedom of thought. The freedom to imagine and create is part of human nature.”
“MOCA means a lot to me,” remarked Frank Gehry, speaking on the impact of artists and the art world on his personal life and architectural practice early on in his career. “Artists brought me into their club – it’s where I wanted to be, and they opened my eyes to another world.”
Following the program, Grammy-nominated rapper Tierra Whack performed selections from her critically acclaimed records World Wide Whack and Whack World, including “MOOVIES,” “SHOWER SONG,” and “Hungry Hippo.” Her performance was followed by a set by acclaimed L.A.-based DJ Linafornia, who entertained guests during dessert, capping off a celebratory evening that united art and design, music, activism, and philanthropy in support of MOCA’s continued impact and enduring legacy.
The 2025 Gala featured notable attendees and guests from the fields of art, entertainment, film, philanthropy, politics, and fashion. In attendance was Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, performer Tierra Whack, MOCA’s Maurice Marciano Director Johanna Burton, and notable igures including Edythe Broad, Jeffrey Deitch, Ava DuVernay, Lisa Edelstein, Anne Ellegood, Fred Fisher, Jane Fonda, Theaster Gates, Michael Govan, David Alan Grier, Alexandra Hedison, Karen Hillenburg, Josh Hutcherson, Michael Maltzan, Leo Marmol, Jarl Mohn, Sarah Paulson, Ann Philbin, Ron Radziner, Zoë Ryan, Wendy and Eric Schmidt, Marc Selwyn, Candy Spelling, Hamza Walker, and Sonya Yu; MOCA Trusteesand Life Trustees Mayor Karen Bass, Board President Carolyn Clark Powers, Kathi B. Cypres, Tim Disney, Jennifer Hawks Djawadi, Clifford J. Einstein, Susan Gersh, Deborah Irmas, Blake Johnson, Karyn Kohl, Barbara Kruger, Board Vice-Chair Eugenio López Alonso, Tala Madani, Mary Klaus Martin, Rodney McMillian, Dallas Price-Van Breda, Christina Quarles, Steven Rice, Pete Scantland, Board Chair Maria Seferian, Terri Smooke, Jeffrey Soros, Berry Stein, Carlo Traglio, Christopher V. Walker, Julie Wainwright, Orna Amir Wolens, and Vida Yaghmai; and artists Olafur Eliasson, Arthur Jafa, Charles Gaines, Alex Israel, Catherine Opie, Henry Taylor, Mary Weatherford, Andrea Bowers, Walead Beshty, Jennifer Guidi, Refik Anadol, Jonas Wood, Analia Saban, Todd Gray, and Hilary Pecis, in addition to many more.
Image credit: Stefanie Keenan and Presley Ann for Getty Images
